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TOLERANCE MANUAL
FOR PRECAST AND PRESTRESSED
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
MNL 135-00TOLERANCES
FOR PRECAST AND PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
CONSTRUCTION
MNL-135-00
prepared by
PCI Committee on Tolerances
Kim Sorenson, PE., Chairman
Ted J, Gutt, PE,
Michael W. Laer, RE.
Jagdish Nijhawan, PE.
Jerald A. Schneider, PE.
Helmuth Wilden, PE.MNL 135-00
Copyright © 2000
By Precast/Presiressed Concrete Institute
Al rights reserved.
‘This book or any part thereot may not be reproduced in any
form without the written permission of the Precast/Prestressed
Concrete institute.
‘Substantial efforthhas been made to ensure that all data and
information inthis manual are accurate. However, PCI cannot
accept responsibilty for any errors or oversights in the use of
material or in the preparation of engineering plans. This publ
cations intended for the use by personnel competent toevalu-
ate the significance and limitations of its contents and able to
accept responsibilty for the application of the material it con-
tains. Special conditions on a project may require more spect.
ic evaluation of practical engineering judgement.
While every effort has been made to prepare this publica-
tion as the national standards for the industry, itis possible that
there may be some conflicts between the material herein and
local practices.
First Edition, 2000
ISBN 0-937040-62-2
Printed in the United States of America1.0
14
12
13
14
18
20
24
22
3.0
34
32
33
40
50
60
64
62
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a
80
a1
Tolerances for Precast and Prestressed Concrete Construction
Preface to Tolerance Committee Report
General .... cect
Nead for Collaboration .
Responsibility for the Overall
Project Tolerance System
‘Specifying Responsibility
for Project Tolerances.
Custom Nature of Building Construction
Introduction
Groups of Tolerance Issues...
Product Tolerances .........+
Erection Tolerances
Interfacing Tolerances
‘Tolerance Categories .........
Structural vee
Feasibility - :
Visual 22. e ee eeereceee
Economics
Legal
Contractual... eee
Responsibility for Project
Dimensional Control . .
Handling a Pre-pour Tolerance
Discrepancy
Handling a Post-Casting/Pre-Shipment
Tolerance Discrepancy .........6.0.++
Handling a Tolerance Discrepancy
Discovered During Erection
Tolerance Acceptability Range
Definitions of Tolerance Related Terms
Relationships Among the Different
Tolerance Groups «.........
Relationship of Product Tolerances
Relationship of Erection Tolerances
Relationship of Interfacing Tolerances
Project Economic Considerations .
Relationship of Form Tolerances
to Product Tolerances. .
Product Tolerances
Specification of Product Tolerances
Overall Plan Dimension Tolerance
Considerations.
Effect of Forms on Dimensions
NNN ooaaaaae
“7
10
7
7
7
18
18
19
19
20
20
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
8.10
att
8.12
8.13
B14
8.15
8.16
a17
90
4
92
93
94
95
10.9
10.1
10.2
103
10.4
105
106
107
108
Etfects of Prestressing on Dimensions
Effects of Time, Temperature, and
‘Shrinkage on Dimensions
Relation of Measuring
Techniques to Tolerances
Tolerances for Blockouts
and Openings we
Tolerances for Sweep oF
Horizontal Alignment
Tolerances for Position of Tendons
Tolerances for Handling
Device Locations
Tolerances Considerations for
Camber and Differential Camber .
Tolerances for Squareness of Ends
or Variation From Specified End Skew
Tolerances for Position of Weld Plates.
Tolerance on Tipping and Flushness
of Wold Plates .......
Tolerances on Haunches of
Columns and Wall Panets.
Tolerances on Location of
Sleeves Cast in Prestressed Products ..
Tolerance on Reinforcing Stee!
Bending and Placement .
Tolerance on Position of Strand
Deflection Points
Tolerance Effects of Warping, Bowing
and Local Smoothness of Panels
‘Special Tolerance Considerations
Considerations for Tolerances
of Architectural Members
Tolerance Considerations for
Visible Structural Members wee
Tolerances for Structural Members ...
Statistical Tolerance Concepts
Tolerance Considerations for
‘Segmental Precast
Product Tolerance Listings
‘Architectural Wall Panels... ...--+
Solid or Insulated Flat Structural
Wall Panels .......
Ribbed Structural Well Panels
Hollow-core Wall Panels
Brick Faced Architectural Elements
Double Tees (Untopped & Pretopped)
Single Tees (Untopped and Prelepped) -
Columns.
24
24
2
-22,
BB
=. 22
23
23
24
24
24
24
26
26
29
29
29
29
29
31
7
39
4
45
a7
49109
10.10
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.18
10.18
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
1021
10.22
10.28
10.24
10.25
10.28
10.27
10.28
10.29
11.0
Wa
We
11.3
4
12.0
12.4
122
123
12.4
125
126
12.7
128
129
12.10
12.11
12.12
Building Beams and Spandrel Beams .. 51
| Beams (Girders) or Bulb Tee Girders 53
Box Beams 55
POIS soceevceeeeeesesees 87
Hollow-core Slabs 59
Piling (Hollow and Solid) .... 6
‘Tee Joists/Keystone Joists ..... 63
Step Units 65
Sheet Piling 0... ees er
Stadium Riser 69
Multi-Stemmed Bridge Units nm
Modular Room Unit... 2.78
Prestressed Concrete Pancls|
for Storage Tanks .......... 78
Bridge Deck Units... 0... eee 77
Segmental Box Girder .... v9
Pier Deck Units 81
Box Culvert. beet tere BB
Prestressed Concrete
Railroad Ties 85,
Sills, Lintels, Copings, Cornices,
Quoins and Medallions a7
Bollards, Benches and Planters 89
Pavers 91
Erection Tolerances 92
Recommended Erection Tolerances ..... 92
Erection Tolerance Groups .............93
Field Control of Erection Tolerances .... 93
Erection Tolerance Considerations
for Segmental Precast Projects . 94
Erection Tolerance Listings ............ 98
Beam Erection Tolerances ............ 97
Floor and Roof Member
Erection Tolerances 99
Column Erection Tolerances .......... 107
Structural Wall Panel Erection
Tolerances .... cere 108
Architectural Walls/Spandrel
Erection Tolerances .. wo 105
Stadium Riser Erection Tolerances .... 107
Room Module Erection Tolerance .....
Stair Unit Erection Tolerance ..........111
‘Segmental Bridge Element
Erection Tolerance cee MB
Gircular Storage Tank Erection
Tolerances 115
Pier Deck Erection Tolerances .
Erection Tolerances for Bridge
Deck Units
7
119
13.0
13.1
140
144
142
143.
144
145
146
147
148
149
14.30
14.14
14.12
15.0
15.1
15.2
153
154
155
156
157
158
15.9
15.10
16.11
16.12
160
17.0
4
172
173
Erection Tolerances for Mixed
Building systems
Connection Tolerances for
Mixed Building Systems
Clearance Considerations
in Product Manufacture
Effects of Product Tolerances
on Clearance Considerations
Effects of Member Type on
Clearance Considerations
Effects of Member Size on
Clearance Considerations
Effects of Member Location
‘on Clearance Considerations ..
Effects of Member Movement
‘on Clearance Considerations
Effects of Member Function
‘on Clearance Considerations
Effects of Erection Tolerances
‘on Clearance Considerations ..
Procedure For Determination
of Clearance
Clearance Examples
Roof Member Clearance Example
Bearing Wall Panel Joint
Clearance Example...
Cladding for High Rise Steel
Frame Building Clearance Example
Interfacing Tolerances
Structural Requirements
Volume Change.........
Exposure and Corrosion .
Waterproofing Requirements
Drainage Requirements ..
‘Architectural Requirements ..
Dimensional Considerations
Vibration Considerations ........-
Fire-Rating Considerations
‘Acoustical Considerations.
Economics .....
Manufacturing/Erection Considerations
Design Approach for Two
Interfacing Tolerance Systems
Defining the Characteristics of
a Tolerance Interface
Windows and Doors
Mechanical Equipment
Electrical Equipment
120
120
121
.121
121
at
rat
124
122,
122
122
2 128
2.123
1128
127
129
129
129
-. 180
130
+130
+190
130
131
2131
131
131
131
+182
= 134
134
134,
-- 134174
175
76
177
178
179
17.10
74
18.0
190
19.1
Elevators and Escalators
Architectural Cladding
Structural Steel and
Miscellaneous Stee!
Masonry
Rooting :
Waterproofing ..
Interior Finishes-—Floors, Walls,
and Ceilings ......
Interior Walls and Partitions .........
‘Typical Tolerance Related Details
Examples of Tolerance
Detailing Related Calculations
Clip Angie for Lateral Restraint.
194
185
«135
+135
135
135;
135,
2136
137
166
= 166
19.2
19.3
19.4
195
196
197
20.0
Glip Angle Supporting a
Precast Concrete Panel
Precast Corbel with Steel
to Stee! Bearing
Effects of Beam Camber
Effects of Camber Variation on
Top Flange Connections
Deflection of Supporting Elements
Panel Supported by a Cantilover
References .
Appendix A—Sample Specification Language
Appendix B—Sample Contract Language
167
168
170
171
172
2.173
174
176
180FOREWORD
Precast concrete is a building system which de
pends on a system of realistic and consistent toler-
ances to meet the objectives of providing acceptable
appearance, durability and economy.
This document is the compilation of over 50 years
of Precast/Prestressed Concrete Industry experience
that defines this essential tolerance system for each
phase of the building project: design, production,
erection and performance. This document also pro-
vides information on other building materials.
Design information for engineers, architects and
building owners is presented to assistin the selection
and design of Precast and Prestressed Concrete
Products.
The Committee has designed this manual to com-
plement and support the PCI quality control manuals:
MNL-116 Manual for Quality Control for Plants and
Production of Precast and Prestressed Concrete
Products, and MNL-117 Manual for Quality Control for
Plants and Production of Architectural Precast Con-
crete Products. Together, these three documents
form the basis of quality design and quality fabrication
and erection for Precast and Prestressed concrete
products.Tolerances For Precast and Prestressed Concrete
1.0 Preface To Tolerance Committee Report
1.1 General
This docurnent is a working reference for the di-
‘mensional control of precast concrete products and
construction. It covers both plant-cast or site-cast
and precast and precast prestressed concrete.
The information contained herein should be used
by architects, engineers, general contractors, pre-
cast and precast prestressed concrete producers,
rectors, quality control agencies, and other related
or interfacing building trades.
The original tolerance committee report was pub-
lished in the PCI Journalin 1985. Asupplementtothe
‘original document was published in the Journal in
1993. Portions of this document have been repub-
lished in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Editions of he PC!
Design Handbook. MNL-116 Manual for Quality Con-
‘tol for Plants and Production of Precast and Pre-
stressed Concrete Products and MNL117 Manual for
Quality Control for Plents and Production of Architec-
tural Precast Concrete Products have included por-
tions of the information published in 1985 for use in
the Plant Certification program.
‘Since 1985, the PC! Committee on Tolerances has
listened to concerns, answered questions and con-
sidered the reported use (and misuse) of the pub
lished tolerances. In response, this document ad-
dresses some of the most frequently asked questions
and concerns.
Readers are encouraged to report any experi-
ences, problems and concerns regarding tolerances
for precast products and projects to the PCI technical
staff.
1.2 Need for Collaboration
The owner, architect/engineer, general contractor,
precaster and erector all have the same goal: @ suc-
cessful project. The overall building project involving
precast concrete building members should be suo:
cessful from all points of view, namely, client satisfac-
tion, on time schedule performance, economy, aes-
thetics, constructability, and ong term functional
durability tis essential that he members of the duild-
ing team collaborate to provide an overall project ol
erance system which will meet ali of the project's
functional needs and allow economical fabrication
and erection for the precast concrete members and
all of the interfacing building systems.
Contractual relationships which provide incen-
tives for cooperation among the building project team,
members, full exchange of information regarding the
needs of the various aspects of the project, and pro-
‘active communication approaches, such as project
partnering, will help the building team successfully
implement project tolerance plans.
1.3 Responsibility for the Overall Project Tol-
rance System
The concept of responsibilty for specifying toler-
lances on precast concrete building projects has
been misunderstood and at times misused. The con-
‘sequences can be not only expensive, but damaging
tocustomer/client relationships. Consider the follow-
ing. It's not uncommon for the published tolerances
{for precast concrete products to be used as a too! for
rejection (or conversely, as a tool for advocating ac-
ceptances), after a projecthas experienced tolerance
related construction difficulties.
In some instances the architeclengineer may
specify PCI documents MNL-116 or MNL-117 as aret-
erence guide, believing that this will cover every situa-
tion. In other instances, building team members may
review the published product tolerances only after fit
up problems become apparent in the field,
Depending on the nature of the contractual rela-
tionships, the precast concrete manufacturer may fol-
low the specifications and use them as proof of mem-
ber tolerance compliance. In the event construction
problems arise, the architect/engineer may take the
position that the precast manufacturer is responsible
for the proper fit of a precast member into the com-
pleted structure, regardless of whether or not the indi-
vidual members meet PC! tolerances.
The tolerances defined by the Committee were set,
to provide a suitable reference point. Each of these
tolerances was set based on current modern precast
Concrete production techniques. They are based on
a standard of quality and craftsmanship that can be
reliably accomplished by a PCI plant cettitied to pro-
duce the various member types. The published toler-
ances are not intended to be an unyielding and rigid
set of tolerances used only as a measure of accep
tance or rejection. The intent of the Committee was
to provide both a feasible and economically reason-able set of starting tolerance tools that will enable the
party responsible for tolerances to develop an overall
project tolerance plan that can be followed to create
a successful project.
1.4 Specifying Responsibility for Project Tol-
erances
The 1985 PC! Journal Tolerance Committee Re-
port states:
"While the detailed assignment of responsibility for
the dimensional tolerancing and controlof the various
members may vary, depending on the contractual ar-
rangement for a particular project, itis very important
that these responsibilities be ciearly assigned and
that these assignments be communicated o all mem-
bers of the project team.”
Inaddition, itis important that the responsibilty for
the overall project tolerance plan and the specifica.
tion of member dimensional tolerances and appropri-
ate interface details be specifically defined. The con-
‘actual relationships on a project and the associated
‘compensation for the effort involved should recog-
nize the entity charged with the responsibility for the
development and implementation of the overall proj-
‘ect tolerance pian
‘Asa matter of actual practice on many projects,
ther no entity is specifically designated with the re-
sponsibility to specify the required project tolerances
(oF the tolerances are too tightly defined.
The first extreme, where responsibility has not
been designated, may occur because the circum:
stances of projects vary considerably. The construc-
tion team member in the best position to handle the
‘development and implementation of the project toler
ance plan may change from project to project. On
some projects the precast concrete manufacturer
may be contractually defined as the engineer of re-
‘cord, possibly with only limited involvement of other
architects or engineers. On some projects the owner
‘may not retain a design team to develop specifica.
tions or contract drawings. In situations like these the
precast concrete manufacturer may be contractually
responsible for the development of the overall project
tolerance plan.
‘The other extreme is the project that is tightly de-
fined by the owner's architect/engineer of record.
Members may be accurately sized and located and
connections may be detail designed or defined in
‘general concepts on the contract drawings and in the
project specifications by the owner's architect/engi-
reer. Inthis case the architect/engineer of ecord may
bbe defined in the contract as contractually responsi-
ble to specify the overall project tolerance plan.
Similarly, project circumstances between the two
extremes can be ill-defined with regard to the respon-
sibility for the overall project tolerance plan. In many
areas of the country these project conditions of il de-
fined responsibilty for project tolerances are the most
prevalent.
It should be noted that the precast member
manutacturer may have no contractual control over
the tolerances and the interface conditions created
byother trades on the project. If thisis the case, these
tolerances and interface conditions may best be han-
dled by the architect/engineer of record, the general
contractor or other entity having the contractual au-
thority necessary to specify and control interfacing
system procurement and the performance ofall ofthe
various project trades.
‘There are definite advantages to having the re-
‘sponsibiities for project tolerances defined prior to
the purchase contract for the precast concrete. This
may prevent disputes over inappropriate or misun-
derstood tolerance specifications after the start of
precast production.
‘See Appendix A for sample contract language re-
garding responsibilty for tolerances.
Figure 1.4.1 shows how different types of project
tolerances fit into the overall project tolerance plan
and the subsequent implementation tasks. As indi-
cated in this diagram “Special Project Tolerances”,
which are different from the typical PCI tolerances,
may be required. Figure 1.4.2 shows a possible con-
tractual relationship for the situation where the pre-
caster enters into a design-build contract to provide
a building project directly to an owner. Figure 1.4.3
shows a possible contractual relationship for the situ
ation where the precaster bids members constructed
to specified tolerances to a general contractor who
then erects the members.
Figure 1.4.4 shows an example responsibilty ma-
trix for project tolerances where specific responsibil-
ties forthe various elements of the overall project tol-
erance plan have been set forth in the project
contract. Appendix B contains a blank tolerance re-
‘sponsibility matrix that can be copied andiflled outfor
Use on new projects,Fig. 1.4.1 _ Relationship of Project Tolerances to Functional Requirements
Design-Build Contra
a
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rane —
Fig. 1.4.2 Specifying Tolerances—Precaster Fig. 1.4.3 Specifying Tolerances—Design-Bid
Contract
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sAuiqisuodsey eoueieion == yb “Bi4.5 Custom Nature of Building Construction
It should be noted that tolerance determination in
building design and construction is substantially dit-
ferent from the practices used in machine design and
assembly. Modern machine design relies on the abi
ty to incorporate completely interchangeable close
tolerance parts into the machine assembly. To ac-
complish this the machine industry has developed
the concept of True Position Dimensioning which al-
lows close tolerance mating parts to be produced in-
‘dependently with the assurance that specified toler-
ances are met the parts wil ft properly 100 percent of
the time.
Precast concrete construction has moved toward
the machine design tolerance philosophy when
compared to most other large building element
‘construction methods. However, design practice and.
economical fabrication and erection tolerance reali-
ties do not allow the same assurance of the 100 per-
cent fit up 100 percent of the time, without giving spe-
Cial attention to the overall construction tolerances of
all of the elements of the construction project.
Careful consideration of how the overail tolerance
system (product tolerances, interface tolerances,
joint clearances, and erection tolerances) accommo-
dates tolerance variations is necessary. The use of
tolerance accommodating details, which in some
instances allow very significant tolerance variations to
be appropriately handled, is also necessary in some
instances.
Building construction principally involves custom
work with relatively large dimensional tolerance varia-
tions, Thus even after appropriate member and erec-
tion tolerances are specified and appropriate inter-
face details are incorporated in the design, the
building team members must be vigilant in the early
identification and resolution of out of tolerance situa:
tions which may develop in any aspect of the overall
building system. By doing this, tolerance related re-
work will be minimized.2.0 Introduction
The tolerance information contained here has
been developed for use primarily by precast and pre-
cast prestressed concrete producers, erectors, qual
ty control agencies, architects and engineers and re-
lated or interfacing trades unless other tolerances are
noted in the project drawings or specifications.
Jn the event that the projact tolerances are set by
the precast producer, rather than the architect/engi-
‘eer, all involved parties agree in advance of any pro-
duction, what the project tolerances will be. If toler-
ances different from PCI standard tolerances are
used on a project, the specified tolerances on that
particular project should be shown on the project
shop drawings and, as applicable, on the erection
‘drawings. Inlieu of showing tolerances on each shop
drawing, a tolerance drawing for the project can be
prepared to make the production personnel aware of
the project tolerance requirements.
‘The producer's personnel should review the con-
tract documents and make sure that the specified tol-
erances are appropriate to the individual compo-
nents. If revisions are deemed necessary by the
review the architect/engineer should be notified by
the producer so that any proposed revisions can be
approved andior implemented by the architect/engi-
ner.
21 Groups of Tolerance Issues
Final component details for precast concrete
products should conform to three groups of toler-
ances which have been established as partof the pre-
‘cast concrete design process. These are product tol
erances, erection tolerances and interfacing
tolerances.
Product Tolerances
Product tolerances are defined as those toler-
ances related to the dimensions and dimensional
relationships of the individual precast concrete mem-
bers. Article 10.0 provides a compiiation of recom-
mended product tolerances for precast concrete
products. Articles 7.0 through 9.0 discuss the specti-
Cation of these values and the methods of verifying
tolerances after casting.
Many times a control surface tolerance will control
over a feature tolerance. This concepts discussed in
detail in Article 6.0. The allowable variation for one
element of the structure should not be such that twill,
cause another element of the structure to exceed its
allowable variations
Erection Tolerances
Erection tolerances are defined as those toler
ances which are requited for the acceptable match-
ing ofthe precast members after they are erected. Ar-
ticle 11.0 provides a comprehensive discussion of the
principles and considerations relative to precast con-
crete erection tolerances. Additional information per-
taining to erection tolerances that should be antic
pated in the tolerance specification review and
Construction of precast concrete structures is pro-
Vided in Article 12.0.
Intertacing Tolerances
Interfacing tolerances are those tolerances which
are associated with other materials or building sys-
tems in contact with or in close proximity to precast
concrete, bath before and after precast erection. Ar-
ticle 17.0 provides guidelines for the proper dimen-
sional specification of interfacing materials in con:
junction” with precast product and erection
tolerances.
22 Tolerance Categories
There are six categories of tolerance issues for the
three tolerance groups given above. The principal
‘concem of each category is as follows.
Structural
To control the member dimensions and dimen.
sional interface in order to assure that dimensional
variations do not change the loading configuration or
capacity of a member as assumed by the designer.
Tolerances which are critical for structural pertor-
‘mance of members and or connections should be in-
dicated as such by the architect/engineer on the proj-
ect design drawings.
‘The architect /engineer should also indicate the
tolerances that stem from the requirements of overall
‘structural integrity.
Feasibility
To ensure acceptable performance ofjoints andin-
terfacing materials in the finished structure and to en-
sure that designs and details are attainable with avail-
able manufacturing and construction techniques.
The established tolerances or required pertor-
mance should fall within generally accepted limits
and should not be made more stringent, and there-
fore more costly, than is absolutely necessary.Tolerances more restrictive than those discussed
in this document should be brought to the attention
of the architect/engineer to ascertain that they are
‘compatible and that the proposed restrictions can be
met. For example, a requirement which states that
“no bowing, warping, or movement is permitted” is
‘not practical or possible to achieve.
Visual
‘The variations in the finished product should be
controllable and result in an acceptable appearance.
Tolerances related to visual effects or aesthetics may
be significantly more stringent than those required for
structural or functional reasons. Tolerances which
are critical to project aesthetics should be indicated
as such by the Architect/Engineer.
Economics
To ensure a reliable and efficient rate of production
and erection by having a known degree of accuracy
in the dimensions of precast concrete products. The
cost of working to tighter than standard product toler-
ances should be evaluated for cumulative costeffects
atthe project level. That is, one should evaluate both
the cost increases and cost savings for member fab-
Tication, interfacing with subsystems and erection to
determine the most economical approach to han-
dling the project tolerance requirements.
Legal
‘To avoid encroaching on property ines and estab-
lish a tolerance standard against which the work can
‘be compared in the event of a dispute.
It is very important to agree on the project toler-
ances in writing, particularly with special tolerances
‘rin situations with critical visual aesthetics. Similarly,
itis equally important to agree in advance how and
‘when these tolerances will be verified (with due con-
sideration for measurement methods, measurement
locations, number of points to measure, support con-
ditions, thermal conditions, and time of measure-
ment).
Contractual
To establish a known acceptability range and as-
sign responsibilty for developing, achieving, and
maintaining mutually agreed tolerances for the proj-
‘ect. The producer's quality control staff should under-
‘stand what the producer's contractual obligations are
regarding project tolerances. The actual project tol-
erances contractually agreed to may be different from
the charted values given here,3.0 Responsibility for Project Dimensional
Control
Once the tolerances for the various membershave
been specified and contractually agreed to by the
producer, appropriate connection details which con-
sider those tolerances should be designed by or ap-
proved by the party responsible for the tolerances.
Then the production of the members should be orga-
nized to ensure that the specified tolerances are rec-
ognized and tolerance compliance is verifiad during
the member fabrication process. An organized quali-
ty control program witha strong focus on dimensional,
tolerance controlis a necessary part ofthe production
effort,
While the detailed assignment of responsibilty for
the dimensional tolerance determination of the vari-
‘ous elements of the construction project may vary
(depending upon the contractual arrangement for a
Particular project), these responsibilies should be
Clearly assigned and communicated to all members
of the project team.
In the erection phase of the project, the various
elements must be assembled in accordance with the
established erection tolerances. Erection quality as-
surance plans wil include a clear definition ofrespon-
sibilities for tolerance verification and adjustment, if
necessary, of both the erected procast concrete
structure and any interfacing structure.
in the event that fast track approval of shop draw-
ings precludes use of formally *approved” shop
drawings an alternative system should be developed
to assure that the drawings in use by the production
staff are the correct version of the drawings.
3.1 Handling a Pre-pour Tolerance Discrep-
aney
An out of tolerance discrepancy discovered in ad-
vance of the placement of concrete should always be
corrected to nominal tolerance prior to the placement
of concrete,
The plant should have documented procedures.
regarding the manner in which pre pour discrepan-
cies noted by the quality control personnel are com-
municated to the production personnel for correction.
These procedures should include a follow-up step to
assure that noted discrepancies have in fact been
corrected prior to concrete placement.
3.2 Handling a Post-Casting/Pre-Shipment
Tolerance Discrepancy
An out of tolerance discrepancy discovered after
the placement of concrete should be documented
and evaluated to determine what, itany, corrective ac:
tion is needed. The piant should have documented
procedures regarding the manner in which post-pour
discrepancies noted by the quality control personnel
are communicated for evaluation. The procedure
should outline which individual within the plant is au-
thorized to evaluate the consequences of such dis-
crepancies.
‘These procedures should include a follow-up step,
to assure that noted discrepancies have either been
corrected or that other appropriate steps have oc-
curred, (such as notification ofthe field erection crew
if the problem can be solved during erection). Itis al-
ways better to evaluate post-pour tolerance discrep-
ancies before the members shipped to the construc
tion site. The producer's representative should
evaluate whether or not the architect/engineer needs
tobe involved in the resolution of any specific discrep-
ancy.
3.3 Handling a Tolerance Discrepancy Dis-
covered During Erection
Because tolerance discrepancies discovered in
the field must be handledin the field, the precast engi-
neer should provide guidelines regarding the manner
in which these sorts of problems are to be resolved.
The producer's representative should evaluate
whether notification of the design team regarding the
problem is required. Adhere to any notification provi-
sions in the contract.
In some cases it may be possible to substitute
another similar piece and return the out of tolerance
memberto the plant for correction. In other instances
afield repair crew may need to be deployed to the
field on an immediate basis to make necessary
corrections. Because of the potential cost and sched-
tule consequences of this situation the plant quality
control plan should be organized to minimize this oc-
currence.4.0 Tolerance Acceptability Range
‘The tolerances shown in this document are guide-
lines for acceptability. Many projects involve situa-
tions which require variation from the published toler-
ances. Only the recognized and agreed upon
* project tolerances” govern the production of the pre-
cast members.
Not all tolerances are critical in every case, particu-
farly when the structural or architectural performance
|g not impaired. In some circumstances, the archi-
tect/engineer may accept an out of tolerance member
if it conforms with any of the following:
a. Exceeding the project tolerances does not af-
{ect the structural integrity; or architectural per-
formance of the member. Otten the inputof the
Engineer of Recordis necessary to evaluate the
consequences of out of tolerance situations.
b, The member can be brought within project tol-
erance by structurally and architecturally satis
factory means. Repair methods used to correct,
tolerance problems should not compromise
structural performance or long term durability
¢. The total erected assembly can be modified to
meet all structural and architectural require-
ments,
Modification of erection activities to accommodate
out of tolerance members requires close coordination
‘between the producer's representative and the erec-
tor.5.0 _ Definitions of Tolerance Related Terms
The following definitions should apply to toler-
ances for precast and precast prestressed concrete
products:
Accuracy of measurement—Conformity with the
actual value of the measurement.
Accuracy is not necessarily associated with the
notion of close conformity with the true value, which
is a measure of precision,
Architect of Record—The inaividual design pro-
fessional responsible for, among other things, speci-
fying the appearance of the finished structure. It may
be necessary to gain the approval of the Architect of
Record for any proposed tolerance repair methods
which will be visible in the completed structure.
Architectural precast concrete— A precast con-
crete product with a specified standard of uniform ap:
pearance, surface details, color, and texture.
Tolerances for architectural precast products are
generally more stringent than for structural products
because of the increased importance of appearance.
This class of product generally is associated with a
premium cost.
Table 5.0.1 Product groups and categories
Bowing—An overall out-of planeness condition
‘which differs from warping in that while two edges of
the panel may fallin the same plane, the portion of the
plane between the edges is out of plane. (See Warp-
ing.) Bowing tolerance is usually most important in
wall panels that are exposed to view. Bowing can oc-
ccur in more than one direction,
Building survey datum—The local survey datum
established for the global erection of the building to
the design pian layout and elevations,
Camber— (1) The deffection that occurs in pre-
stressed concrete members due to the net bending
resulting from stresses associated with the effects of
the prestress force (not including dimensional inac-
ccuracies); and (2) a builtin curvature to improve ap-
pearance.
‘Camber control is generally more of a concern in
long prestressed members where there is increased
potential for differential camber in adjacent members.
Groups and Categories of Products—The PCI
Plant Certification Program is focused around four
groups of products and categories within those
‘groups designated as indicated in Table §.0.1.
‘Group A—Architectural Products
Category A1—Architectural cladding and load bearing members
Category AT—Precast concrete architectural trim,
Group B—Bridge Products
Category B1—Bridge products, not prestressed
Category 82-—Bridge products prestressed, excluding bridge beams
Category 83--Bridge superstructure using straight prestressing
Category 84—All products in Category B plus draped strand bridge superstructure
Category BA—Bridge elements with special finishes
Group C—Commercial (Structural)
Category C1—Commercial products, not prestressed.
Category C2—Prestressed hollow-core and similar products
Category C3—-Commercial products using straight prestressing
Category C4—Commercial products using draped prestressing
Category CA--Commercial structural elements with special finishes
Group G—Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete Products
10Products in Group A are subject to architectural
tolerances. Products in groups 8, C, are subject to
structural tolerances. Categories CA and BA are sub-
ject to structural tolerances unless they are specified
category At with Special Project Tolerances which
may be a combination of specially defined structural
and architectural tolerances,
Group A—Architectural Products. These are
products produced in accordance with the require~
ments of MINL-117. Within Group A, products in cate-
gories A1~ architectural cladding and load bearing
members, and AT architectural trim units are gener-
ally considered subject to architectural tolerances.
This group includes concrete building elements all of
which are exposed to view.
Category At Is architectural cladding and load
bearing members. This category includes concrete
building elements such as exterior cladding, load
bearing and non-load bearing wall panels, spandre's,
beams, mullions, columns, column covers. Category
AT is precast concrete architectural trim units, prod:
ucts with a high standard of finish quality and of rela-
tively small size that can be installed with equipment
of limited capacity. Included in this group are sill, lin
tels, coping, cornices, quoins, bollards, medallions,
benches, planters, and pavers.
Group B Bridges —This group includes all bridge
products. The group is subdivided into BY, B2, 63,
and B4 categories. These products are considered
structural products. Category B1 products are typi-
cally not prestressed, 82 products are prestressed
bridge related products excluding bridge beams, BS
products are superstructure members using straight
prestressing strand, 84 includes all products in B1
through B3 plus draped strand bridge members.
Category BA includes products fabricated using
forms and techniques common to the production of
structural members (Group 8) and having specified
surface finishes that require uniformity and detaiing
more demanding than the typical requirements for
structural products.
Group C Commercial (Structural)—This group
includes all commercial products. The category is
subdivided into C1, C2, C3, and C4 categories. These
products are considered structural products. Cate-
gory C1 products are typically not prestressed, C2,
Products are prestressed hollow-core and similar re
petitive products, C3 products are prestressed mem:
bers using straight strands, C4 are products using
‘draped prestressing strands. Category CA, this cate-
gory includes products fabricated using forms and
techniques common to the production of structural
members (Group C) and having specified surface fin-
ishes that require uniformity and detailing more de-
manding than the typical requirements for structural
products.
‘The surface finish requirements for these mem-
bers should be clearly specified and verified with ap-
propriate samples and mockups. Included in this
category are parking deck structural spandrels with
a special finish. Typically these members are used on
projects for reasons of economy. They are fabricated
to structural tolerances unless Special Project Toler-
ances are specified, which may be a combination of
structural and architectural tolerances.
Group G—Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete.
‘These products are reinforced with glass fibers that
are randomly dispersed throughout the products and.
ate made by spraying a glass fiber, cement, and sand
slurry mixture into molds. This produces thin walled
lightweight cladding panels. Products are manutac-
tured according to the quality requirements of MNL-
130,
Clearance--interface space (distance) between
two elements. Clearance is normally specified to al-
ow for the effects of product and erection tolerances
and for anticipated movement such as deftection, vol-
ume change movement, etc.
Clear distance—The least distance between the
surface of the reinforcement and the referenced sur-
face. The referenced surface may be the form, adja-
cent reinforcement, embedments, concrete surface,
or other surfaces.
Concealed surface—Surface not visible during
normal use of the member.
Tolerances for concealed surfaces may not be as
critical as for surfaces which are exposed to view in
the finished structure.
Connection—Device for the attachment of pre-
‘cast conerete members 1 each other, o the building
ortothe structure. Connection design must often ac
count for the cumulative effects of all allowed toler-
ance variations:
Contract documents—General conditions, proj-
‘ect specifications and design drawings issued on be-
half of the owner by the design professionals of re-
cord (architect/ engineer) and from which the project,
shop drawings and production drawings are devel-
oped.
It is good practice to initially review the contract,
documents to see if tolerances for the precast mem-
bers have been specified. If not, amend the contract
10 include specific definition of the planned approach
to project tolerances. Blanket reference to this docu:mentwithout specifying specific tolerances should be
avoided.
Control surfaces ~The following are several cif-
{erent categories of surfaces relevant to precast con-
crete tolerance control and erection,
Alignment face—The face of a precast member
which is to be set in alignment with the faces of adja-
cent members or features. The alignment face is usu-
ally a primary control surface. This is the member face
that is usually exposed to view in the final structure.
Primary control surface—A surface or feature on
a precast member, the dimensional location of which
is specifically set and controlled in the erection pro-
cess. Primary control surfaces are generally associat-
ed with the key dimensional features of the structure,
{for example a column haunch support surface)
‘Secondary control surface—A surface or feature
on a precast member, the dimensional location of
‘which is dependent on the location tolerance of the
member primary contro! surfaces plus the member
feature tolerances. An example would be the eleva-
tion of a second-story corbel on a multistory column
whose first-story corbel elevation is selected as the
primary elevation control surface.
Cover—The distance between the surface of the
reinforcement and the nearest concrete surface.
‘Creep— Dimensional change, usually shortening
‘orcamber change, which takes place as result of sus-
tained compression loading and prestress force on
‘concrete elements. The magnitude and rate of creep
‘depends on various factors including concrete char-
acteristics and the level of compression loading,
Dimensions-—The following are several different
categories of dimensions relevant to precast con:
crete fabrication,
Actual dimensions—The measured dimension of
the precast member after casting.
The actual or as-built dimension may differ trom
the working dimension due to construction and mate-
tial induced variation,
Basic dimension-—The dimensions shown onthe
contract drawings or called for in the specifications.
‘The basic dimension applies to size, location, andrel-
ative location. It may also be called the “nominal” di-
‘mension,
Working dimension—The planned dimension of
the precast member obtained from its basic dimen.
sion the necessary joint or clearance dimensions,
and other adjustments
Itis to this planned working dimension that the
product tolerance is applied. For example, ita nomi
2
nal 8 ft [2.44 m} wide double tee wall panel is de-
signed to have a nominal % in. [19 mm] wide joint on
either side, the working dimension for the member
width would be 7 ft. 11% in. [4.42 m],
Discrepancy—Indicates the difference between
planned dimension and actual dimension. The exi
tence ofa discrepancy frequentty reveals the need for
closer monitoring. Less precise measurement tech:
iques tend to obscure problems that more precise
techniques may reveal.
Draft—The taper given to features of a mold or
form to allow the precast piace to be removed from
‘the mold or form without damage. Draft can resuttin
different feature dimensions between the front and
back of a piece.
Engineer of Record—The design professional e-
gally responsible for the overall structural design of a
building or facility, for determining and setting the
load requirements, and for coordinating the designs
performed by a speciality engineer with the overall
system. Generally this is the individual who has
‘sealed the contract design drawings (not the precast
shop drawings) with his or her professional engi-
neer's stamp.
Errors in measurement —The following are differ-
‘ent types of errors in measurement which must be
considered.
‘Systematic error—An error that invariably has the
same magnitude and the same sign under the same
‘aiven conditions. Thus a cloth tape that has been
stretched about percent by overuse will consistently
measure a 40 in, dimension as just over 38 in.
Natural errors—Systematic errors that arise from
natural phenomena. They are really the effects of cer-
tain influences that operate to prevent the observer
from seeing or reading directly the quantity being
‘sought. Two instances are the refraction of light rays
and the thermal variation of measuring devices. (for
example thermal length changes in metal measuring
tapes).
Instrumental errors—Are the systematic effects
of imperfections in the construction or adjustment of
instruments used in making measurements,
Instances inolude the lack of concentriity of transit
circles, graduation errors in scales, and maladjust-
ment of the bubble tubes of levels.
Personal errors—This systematic error depends
on the physical limitations and also on the habits of
the observer. Some observers may have a slight ten-
dency to observe to the right or left in estimating
tenths, or have poorly coordinated vision. The
amount of such errors usually small, though erraticAccidental Errors—These errors of observation
are random; they are usually small and then have a
tendency to be mutually compensating. The appear-
ance of discrepancies in a series of measurements is
‘one example.
Flatness—The degree to which a surface approxi-
mates a plane. See Smoothness. This tolerance is
‘most important in wall and slab members.
Formed surface—A concrete surface that has
been cast against form work.
Hardware—items used in connecting precast
concrete members or attaching or accommodating
adjacent materials or equipment.
Generally suppliers of hardware can provide infor-
mation regarding required placement tolerances for
their hardware products.
Hardware is normally divided into the following
three categories:
Contractor's hardware—ttems tobe placed on or
In the structure in order to receive the precast con-
crete members, @.g., anchor bolts, angles, or plates
with suitable anchors.
Since the precast members must interface with
this hardware, itis important to understand the toler-
ance to which these elements are tobe installed. Con-
firm the as-built location of this hardware in advance
of the precast erection activites.
Plant hardware—items to be embedded in the
concrete members themselves, either for connec-
tions and precast concrete erector’s work, or for other
trades, such as mechanical, plumbing, glazing, mis-
cellaneous iron, masonry, oF roofing trades. The
placement tolerances for this hardware often must
consider the installation requirements of the systems
the hardware must interface with,
Erection hardware—All loose hardware neces-
sary for the installation of the precast concrete mem-
bers.
Jig—A template or device to align parts of an as-
sembly, usually for pre-assembling reinforcing steel
and hardware cages and positioning of anchor bolts
onsite, with a minimum of measurementto attain con:
sistent accuracy from one casting to the next. The use
of templates in the plant and the same or matching
template for placement of the contractor's hardware
inthe field is a good way to assure fi-up of mating
connection elements,
Jog in alignment—The difference in elevation of
the top or bottom of one wall panel relative to the adja~
cent wall panel measured at the mating edges of the
panels.
13
Lateral alignment—The location relative to a spe-
1d horizontal line or point in a horizontal plane.
Level alignment—The vertical location relative to
a specified horizontal plane.
‘When applied to roadways, bridge decks, slabs,
ramps, or other nominally horizontal surfaces estab-
lished by elevations, level alignment is defined as the
vertical location ofthe surface relative to the specified
profile grade and specified cross slope
Match casting—A precast concrete fabrication
procedure whereby a segmentis cast againstthe pre-
ceding segment thereby producing a matching inter-
face that will permit re-establishment of the cast ge-
‘ometry at the time of erection. Match-casting may be
accomplished by either the short ine casting method
‘r the long line casting method.
Short line match casting—The method of casting
segments one at a time on the casting bed utilizing a
fixed or movable bulkhead. The first segment is cast
between bulkheads.
Successive segments are cast, one at a time,
against the bulkhead on one end and the reposi
tioned, previously cast segments on the other end.
Long line match casting—The method of casting
segments on a casting bed of sufficient length to per-
mit the cumulative casting of segments for the entire
length between field closure pours without reposition:
ing the segments on the casting bed. With this meth-
0d, the first segment is cast between bulkheads and
successive segments are cast between a movable
bulkhead on one end and the previously cast seg-
‘ment on the other end.
PCI quality manuals—MNL-+ 16 Manual for Quaii-
ty Control for Plants and Production of Precast and
Prestressed Concrete Products. This is the docu-
ment prepared by PCI as a guideline for quality assur-
ance of all precast concrete except architectural pre:
cast and glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC).
MNL-117 Manual for Quality Controf for Plants and
Production Of Architectural Precast Concrete Prod:
ucts. This is the document prepared by PCI as a
guideline for quality assurance of architectural pre-
cast concrete, MNL-130 Manual for Quality Control for
Plants and Production of Glass Fiber Reinforced Con-
crete. This is the document prepared by PCI as a
guideline for quality assurance of glass fiber rein-
forced concrete products.
Post-tensioning—A method of prestressing con-
crete whereby the tendon is kept from bonding to the
plastic (wel) concrete, then stressed and anchored
directly against the hardened concrete, imparting
stresses through end bearing at an anchorage. Post-tensioning has the effect of shortening a member in
the direction axial to the post-tensioning and may re-
sult in camber. This shortening and the effects of
camber should be included in the length tolerance
considerations,
Precast Engineer—The person or firm who de-
signs precast concrete members for specified loads
and who may also direct the preparation of the shop
Srawings. The responsibilty for the design of the pre-
cast members and of the overall structure (including
the overail tolerance plan) is determined by contract
and should be specifically defined in the project con-
tract
Precast linear member—Beam, column, or simi
lar member.
Precast planar member—Wall panel, floor panel
or similar member.
Precision of measurement measure of the
closeness of conformity with the actual value. Preci-
sion is related to the degree of care and refinement
‘employed in making a measurement.
Accuracy of measurements descriptive of the cor-
rectness of the result of the measurement.
Pre-tensioning—A method of prestressing con-
rate whereby the tendons are elongated, and then
anchored while the concrete in the member is cast
around the tendons. The tendons are then released
when the concrete is strong enough to receive the
forces from the tendon through bond.
Once the prestress force is transferred to the con-
‘crete member the member will shorten and possibly
‘camber. These dimensional changes need to be con:
sidered in the product tolerances, the erection toler-
ances, and the interface tolerances.
Pre-topped systems—A construction approach,
such as may be used for the floor system in parking
garages, in which the flange for the floor member,
often a double tee, is constructed tots final thickness,
in the plant, resutting in no cast in-place topping be-
ing requirediin the field. This approach can be very ef-
ficient in that it reduces the amount of field construc-
tion work. It does however, require closer control of
tolerances such as differential camber, flange con-
nector placement and overall member depth.
Project specifications—The building or facility
specifications which define specific requirements for
the elements of the project. Specifications can
employ PCI tolerance recommendations by refer-
‘ence to specific tolerances given in this document,
The specifications serve as the instrument for making
mandatory and optional selections available under
4
the specific project specifications and for specifying
items not covered in this document.
Quality—The appearance, strength, durability,
and dimensional conformance which is appropriate
for the specific product, its particular application and
its expected performance requirements. Quality also
refers to the totality of features and characteristics of
product that bear on its ability to satisfy stated
needs,
Quality assurance (QA)— All those planned or
systematic actions necessary to ensure that the final
product or service will satisfy given requirements for
quality; and performance of intended function. Typi
cally, the quality assurance effort will focus on the re-
quirements of the overall project, thus identifying the
tolerance quality control requirements for member
fabrication.
Quality contro! (@C)—Those planned actions ,
which provide a means to measure and control the
characteristics of members and materials to predeter-
mined quantitative criteria,
Relative alignment—The distance between two
‘or more elements in any plane, or the distance be-
tween adjacent elements, or the distance between an
element and a defined point or plane.
Set-up—The process of preparing mokds or forms
for casting, including installation of materials (rein-
forcement and hardware) prior to the actual placing
of concrete. The set-up process is second only to the
mold or form construction in its importance in the
achievement of specified member tolerances.
Shrinkage—The volume change in precast con-
crete members caused by drying that normally oc-
‘curs during the curing and initial ite of concrete mem-
bers. The expected shrinkage must be subtracted
from the form set up dimensions to determine the as-
cast dimensions of a member.
Shop drawings—(1) Collective term used for
erection drawings, production drawings and hard:
ware details; and (2) Diagrams of precast concrete
‘members and their connecting hardware, developed
from information in the contract documents. Shop
drawings show information needed for both field as-
sembly (erection) and manufacture (production) of
the precast concrete members.
Erection drawings—Those drawings which show
the relationship of the precast members and their
connections in the erected structure and which pro-
vide such information as is necessary to properly
‘erect and connect the various members.Production drawings—A set of instructions in the
form of diagrams and text which contain al the infor-
mation necessary for the manufacturer to produce
the precast member. These documents are usually
produced by or under the direction of the precast
plant engineering department or by a party hired by
the producer to do this.
Hardware details—Those drawing details which
are used for the fabrication or procurement of hard-
ware which is used either in the production of the pre-
cast member or in its erection and connection.
‘Smoothness —The absence of iccal irregularity or
roughness. Itdoes not refer to the overall shape ofthe
member.
Speciality Engineer—A licensed engineer, not
the Engineer of Record, who performs structuralengi-
neering functions necessary for the structure to be
completed. He has shown experience and/or training
in his specialty
Specially finished structural precast con-
erete—A product fabricated using forms and tech-
niques common to the production of structural mem-
bers and having specified surface finishes that
require uniformity and detailing more demanding
than the typical requirements for structural members.
‘These surface finishes and any special tolerance
requirements for this class of member should be
clearly specified and verified with appropriate sam-
ples and mockups. These products are defined as
Groups CA or BA if hey use structural tolerances and
Group At if they use architectural tolerances,
Statistical tolerance contro! concepts—A math-
‘ematically valid approach of sampling and monitoring
tolerances on projects which have large numbers of
identical pieces made using industria tolerance con-
‘rol methods.
Step In face—The dimensional difference be-
tween the edges of the planar surfaces of two adja-
cent wall panels measured at the mating edges of the
two panels, The more perfectly the panels match di-
‘mensionally at the edges the less the step in face.
‘Strand—A group of wires laid helically over a cen-
tral-core wire. Aseven-wire strand would thus consist
of six outer wires laid over a single wire core. High
strength steel strand is typically used to prestress
concrete.
‘Structural precast concrete—Precast concrete
members that are intended to support external struc:
tural loads in addition to their own weight. They are
fabricated using methods which are optimized to eco-
nomically produce members with specified structural
properties. Appearance requirements for these mem:
15
bers is secondary to their structural requirements
‘The fabrication techniques used for structural precast
concrete (for example. long line casting in forms with
movable bulkheads), limit some of the dimensional
precision possibilities with this type of manufacturing
Process.
‘Sweep—A global variation in member horizontal
alignment. This can sometimes be caused by hori-
zontally eccentric prestress in narrow members,
Tendon—Anhigh strength steel element consisting
of one or more wires, strands, of bars or a bundle of
such elements, which are stressed and used to im:
part prestress to the concrete.
In prestressed products the position of the ten-
dons is one of the most important of ali tolerances, as
variation in tendon location affects the structural ca-
pacity of the element.
Theoretical casting curve—The curve of casting
geometry followed at the casting bed for segmental
precast members to achieve the theoretical profile of
the completed structure atter final deformations have
taken place. This calculated curve takes into account
deformations resulting from the sequence of erection
and loads applied during erection
Tolerance—Specified permissible variation from
specified requirements such as dimensions, location
and alignment such as:
‘+ the permitted variation from a basic dimension
‘or quantity, as in the length, width, and depth
of a member.
+The range of variation permitted in maintaining
a basic dimension, as in an alignment toler-
ance.
+A permitted variation from location or align:
ment.
Architectural tolerances—The tolerances given
in Article 10.1 for architectural panels define architec-
tural tolerances. Member finish and color are sepa-
rate issues which are often important in the produc:
tion of architectural concrete members. Architectural
dimensional tolerances can be applied to other prod-
uct types as special project tolerances. There is no in-
tent to split tolerances between structural and archi
tectural tolerances on the basis of finish oF color.
Finish and color are separate issues related to project,
aesthetic requirements.
Structural tolerances—The tolerances given in
Article 10.0 with the exception ofthe architectural tol-
frances given in Antcle 10.1, architectural trim toler-
ances given in Articles 10.29, 10.90 and 10.31 for ar
chitectural rim elements and Article 10.28 for raiiroad
ties. These tolerances apply to structural precastconcrete members that are fabricated using methods
designed to produce economically feasible members
with specified structural properties.
Finish and color are usually less important for
members governed by structural tolerances. When
the finish and or color of structural members are im-
Portant to the project, this should be specifically
noted in the contract documents, as special mea-
sures may be required to achieve the desired result
Project tolerances—The required tolerances for
a specific project. If the specified tolerances differ
from the tolerances given in this document for a spe-
cific product group or category, itis in the interest of
alll parties to agree in writing to the project tolerances.
Special project tolerances—Specially required
tolerances, different from standard PCI tolerances
given in this publication which are required to meet
specific project requirements,
Tolerances different from those listed in this docu-
ment may be agreed to for a specific project. These
tolerances could be either less stringent or more strin-
gent than tha tolerances listed here.
Itshould be noted that the requirement for special
project tolerances may have a significant impact on
project price and schedule.
Product tolerances—Those allowable variations
in dimensions relating to individual precast concrete
members.
Control surface tolerance—Tolerances which
are related to element contro surfaces that are set or
aligned to be within the specified project erection tol-
erances,
Feature tolerance—The allowable location or di-
mensional variation of a feature, such as a corbel or
a blockout, with respect to overall member dimen-
sions, Feature tolerances area characteristic of the in-
dividual precast members.
16
Erection tolerances—Those allowable variations
in dimensions of member placement in the com-
pleted structure required for acceptable matching of
precast members after they are erected.
Erection tolerances are a characteristic of how the
individual members are positioned both globally and
relative to one another in the overall structure.
Intertacing tolerances—Those allowable varia-
tions in dimensions associated with other materials or
systems in contact with or in close proximity to pre-
cast concrete,
Interface tolerances could include the tolerances
of cast-in-place concrete footings, structural steel or
cast-in-place concrete frames, and subsystems like
windows, doors, heating and ventilating system ele-
ments, and the like,
True position dimensioning—A system of dimen-
sioning used inthe machine design industry to assure
that close tolerance parts are universally interchange-
able. Some of the concepts ofthis tolerancing system
may be of interest to the precast producer for special
situations. See the reference section for publications
which address this tolerance system.
Variation—The difference between the actual and
the basic dimension. Variations may be either nega-
tive (less) or positive (greater).
Vertical alignment—The location relative toaspe-
ified vertical plane or a specified vertical line or from
a line or plane reference to a vertical line or plane.
‘When applied to battered walls, abutments or other
nearly vertical surfaces, vertical alignment is defined
‘as the horizontal location of the surface relative to the
specified profi.
Warping—Twisting of a member, resulting in over-
all out-of-plane curvature of surfaces characterized
by non-parallel edges.
Warping is most often a concem in panel mem-
bers, although itcan occur in other types of members.6.0 Relationships Among the Dit
ance Groups
ferent Toler-
‘The relationship among the different tolerance
groups must be consistent in order to avoid tolerance
related rework of building members. A careful review
of which tolerances are primary and which secondary
anda review of how product and erection tolerances
relate on a particular building project will determine
which tolerances are cumulative and which are net.
6.1 Relationship of Product Tolerances
Product tolerances define the limits of the size and
dimensional precision of the individual precast mem-
bers comprising the building or structure. The prod-
uct tolerance also controls the location of the member
features as they relate to the overall member dimen-
sions,
In lieu of showing the member tolerances on each
shop drawing, a project tolerance drawing can be
used to convey the required project tolerances to the
production personnel. The producer should review
project specifications and design drawings to deter-
mine if surface and feature dimensional control re-
quirements are clearly outlined. If clarifications are
needed the architect/engineer should be notified,
6.2 Relationship of Erection Tolerances
Erection tolerances define the location and piace:
ment of the individual precast members in the as~
‘sembled structure. The individual precast member is
erected and positioned so that its primary erection
control surface isin conformance with the established
erection tolerances
‘See Articles 11.0 and 12.0 or further discussion of
erection tolerances.
During precast panel installation, priority is gener-
ally given to aligning the exterior face of the precast
pane's to meet aesthetic requirements. This may re-
sult in the interior precast panel face not being in a
true plane,
Product tolerances for member primary control
surfaces are not additive to the erection tolerances
which govern the setting of the member primary erec-
tion control surtaces.
The secondary control surfaces of a member (for
‘example the surfaces of alockout) usually are not di
rectly set during the erection process. Thus, the
product tolerances for secondary contro! surfaces
land features of the member are additive to the ereo-
tion tolerances for the member, To ensure a trouble
free instalation, generally, the product tolerances
must not confict with the erection tolerances.
7
Erection tolerances and product tolerances for
some features of a precast concrete member may be
directly additive while others are not. This fact should
be communicated to production, quality control and
erection personneland may be shown onthe erection
drawings if relevant to the erection activity. Knowing
which member surfaces are the primary erection con-
trol surfaces is important to the erection etfor.
Hf special project tolerances, other than standard
PCI tolerances are used, in lieu of showing the erec-
tion tolerances for each piece, a tolerance drawing tor
each erection situation can be used to convey the re-
quired project tolerances to the erection personnel,
In instances where the tolerance of both primary
and secondary control surfaces must be controlled
during erection, the design should be reviewed by the
producer and erector to assure that the details in-
clude provisions for secondary control surface ad-
just ment. if revisions are indicated by the review, the
architecV/engineer should be notified, as problems in
the tolerancing system are easier to resolve before
the pieces are produced.
6.3 Relationship of Interfacing Tolerances
Interfacing tolerances are those associated with
other materials or systems which interface with the
precast concrete members. Interfacing tolerances
apply whether the interfacing system is erected prior
to or following precast erection.
For interfacing situations which involve multiple
members, both product and erection tolerance ef-
tects may have to be accommodated within the inter-
face tolerance.
Product tolerances, erection tolerances and inter
face tolerances together determine the dimensions of
the completed structure. iit is ertcal to the project
the system tolerances which take precedence on the
given project should be reflected inthe contract docu
ments and should also be indicated on the project
shop drawings.
See Article 17.0 for a discussion of interfacing tol-
erances.
‘As written, American Concrete Insitute (ACI) doc-
ument 117 “Standard Tolerances for Concrete
Construction and Materials” applies primarily torein-
forced concrete construction. Simiarly the American
Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) code of stan
dard practice applies only to structural steel construc.
tion. Neither of these standards addresses toler-
ances for buildings of composite construction (..
conerete floor slabs carried by steel columns or steel
frames with precast concrete cladding) Nor are tole
ances for fireproofing and masonry controlled by ref-
erencing these standards. The producer should re-view the contract documents to assure that the
location of all such materials contiguous to the pre-
cast concrete members have been controlled within
tolerances which are, at most, no less stringent than
those specified in ACI 117. Notify the architectjengi-
neer if revisions to the contract documents are indi
cated by this review.
6.4 Project Economic Considerations
The precedence of product and erection toler-
ances raises questions of project economics. The tol-
erance requirements and other costs associated with
the connection details should be reviewed by the pro-
ducer in conjunction with the erector.
When accepted by the producer and/or erector as
contractual requirements, special tolerance require-
ments, details, and procedures should be clearly
spelled out inthe project shop drawings. Special tol-
terances or construction procedures should be noted,
18
by the producer, as these require early decisions
based on overall project economics. Once these de-
cisions about forming, fabrication methods, and erec-
tion procedures have been made, they should be re-
flected on the project shop drawings.
6.5 —_ Relationship of Form Tolerances to Prod-
uct Tolerance:
Product tolerances are directly dependent on form
manufacturing tolerances, the flexibility of the form,
{and the precision with which the variable features of
the form can be adjusted.
In some cases, when long production runs of
close tolerance members are required, the invest-
ment in very rigid, close tolerance premium formwork
may be the best investment that can be made. This
will serve to minimize any tolerance related problems
and the associated costs.7.0 Product Tolerances
Product tolerances are a measure of dimensional
accuracy of the individual members and ensure, prior
to delivery to the job site, the high probability that the
member will it into the structure without requiring tol-
erance related rework. See Article 10.0 for a listing of
product tolerances.
‘The applicable product tolerances should be con-
sidered in the overall project tolerance plan, along
with the appropriate erection tolerances and the re-
quired interfacing tolerances.
Product tolerances are needed in any manufactur-
ing process. They are determined by economics,
practicality, function and appearance. Product toler-
‘ances are applied to physical dimensions of precast,
members such as thickness, length, width, square-
ness, and location and size of member features.
‘Al times, the user of a precast concrete product,
will specify special project tolerances for a particular
project or member type. For example railroad author-
ities or governmental bridge authorities may often
specify the necessary tolerances for products that
they incorporate into their infrastructure. Therefore,
the designer should consider PCI tolerances in con.
junction with the tolerances specified by the control
19
ling authority. I a specifying agency has tolerances
more restrictive than PCI tolerances in the project
specification, the more restrictive agency tolerances:
will govern the production of the project members.
7.1 Specification of Product Tolerances
‘See Appendix A forsample specification language
regarding praduct tolerances. Project tolerances for
‘manufacturing precast members and other interfac-
ing systems are standardized throughout the industry
and should not be made more rigid and therefore
‘more costly, unless absolutely necessary. The pro-
ducer should review the contract documents to as-
sure thatthe architect/engineer has specified project,
product tolerances within a generally accepted range
‘orhas defined special measures toachieve a different
level of tolerance. The requirement for such special
measures should be defined in the project contract
documents.
The per unit cost of the preparations and actions
necessary to manufacture members to close toler-
‘ances usually decreases with increasing repetition in-
volved on projects which consist of many similar pre~
cast members.8.0 Overall Plan Dimension Tol
siderations
ance Con-
The two most important considerations in achiev-
ing specitied product tolerances are the effects of
formwork and the measuring techniques used to set
the forms and assess the various product dimen-
sions,
When considering the effects of product toler-
ances the following items are significant: When new,
relocated, or modified forms are used, the initial mem:
ber cast should be carefully measured to assure that
all features are correctly formed and that all member
tolerances are met. This process should be repeated
when theres any reason to believe that the condition
Of the form may have changed
Length or width dimensions and straightness of a
member will all affect the joint clearance dimensions,
opening dimensions between members, and poten:
tially the overall length of the structure which incorpo-
rates the member. Thickness variation of the precast
‘concrete panel member becomes critical when inter
or surfaces are exposed to view. A non-uniform thick:
ness of adjacent members will cause offsets of the
front or rear faces of the panels.
81 Effect of Forms on Dimensions
Forms are generally one of three types: rigid, seri-
rigid, or flexible, See Fig. 8.1.1. The tolerances to
which the forms are made and the tolerances to which
they can reliably be adjusted are an important deter-
inant ofthe abilty to achieve specified member tol-
erances. The proportion ofthe product tolerance vari-
ation which results from form manufacturing
tolerances or adjustment precision should be consid
ered in the plan to achieve specified member toler-
ances. One of the most important considerations
Fig. 8.1.1 Types of precast concrete formwork
which should be taken into account in the selection
of the types of forms to be used is the precision of di-
‘mensional tolerance specified for the member.
Etfects of Rigid Forms
Rigid forms are those which have all the sides of
the form rigidly and permanently fixed, thus ensuring
a higher degree of dimensional accuracy than other
form types, in both the length and wiath directions,
Rigid forms are often used in the fabrication of cus-
tomized products such as architectural precast pan-
els, where appearance or function dictates the need
for closer tolerances. Large runs of repetitive use of
forms can make the higher initial cost economically vi-
able.
Side forms for rigid forms should have suitable
draft. Draftis the slope or taper required on the forms
to permit stripping of the precast member from the
form
Etfects of Semirigid Forms
Semitigid forms are those which have two sides
rigidly and permanently fixed. The other sides typical-
ly are made by using end dividers for long line casting
or removable side forms to allow dimensional difer-
ences in individual pieces.
tn semi rigid forms the end dividers or removable
side forms are not permanent rigid attached to the
form, and thus must be set to the proper dimension
foreach panel casting. Because they mustbe set with
each new casting length, they have the potential to
move slightly during the placement and vibration of
the concrete. This results ina lesser degree of achiev-
able precision in linear plan dimensions than when
rigid forms are used.
- retEffects of Flexible Forms
Flexible forms have no permanent rigidly fixed
sides. The typical product using such forms is a
‘double tee with blocked-out flanges, or aflat wallpan-
‘el on a project having many different sized wall pan-
‘els, Of the three types of forms discussed here, flex-
ible forms result in the least degree of achievable plan
dimensional precision in both jength and width.
8.2 Effects of Prestressing on Dimensions
‘The effects of prestressing can have a significant
‘effect on member dimensions and should be consid
ered inthe plantomeet specified tolerances. The pro-
‘ducer should assure that the effects of prestressing
have been accounted for in determining the form set-
up dimensions for member casting,
very important to agree in advance on the con-
ditions under which the tolerances of a member will
'be checked. (e.g. the agreed support conditions for
measuring sweep of a long slender precast pile). In
instances where stringent tolerances are required
make sure that the affect of prestressing on member
dimensions is ciear within the project team. Put this
agreement in writing prior to fabrication
‘The prestress effects result in length changes,
member camber, and end rotation all of which should
be taken into account when determining the casting
length for the member. The application of prestress
force to the member can affect the overall length of
the member in two ways. First, there is an axial short-
ening of the member as result of the applied axial
compressive force of the prestress and second, the
ends of he member may rotate in elevation as aresult
of the member camber caused by prestress eccen-
tricity
8.3 Effects of Time, Temperature, and Shrink-
age on Dimensions
Because of concrete's tendency the creep under
applied load or prestress, the shape and dimensional
tolerance of a member has the potential to change
over time. This 's more of a concer for members
which have high levels of eccentric prestress which
can lead to changes in member camber or sweep
over time
Since the modulus of elasticity of concrete varies
proportionally tots strength, the strength (and result-
ing modulus) of the concrete atthe time of transfer of
prestress may have an effect on member camber
which can be significant enough to consider in the
overall dimensional control program. This may be no-
ticeable, for example, in differential camber of long
cambered members which are caston Friday and de-
tensioned on Monday (less camber because of high-
2
er modulus at release) when compared with mem-
bers cast during the week and detensioned the next
‘morning after casting (more camber because of ower
‘modulus at release).
{fparticular members within a project require high
levels of dimensional stability over time, this require-
ment should be brought to the attention of the precast
designer so that the prestress can be designed tore-
duce the potential effects of creep. Since this may in-
volve the addition of more total prestress, itmay have
economic effects and this requirement should be
treated as a special project tolerance.
The effects of differential temperature from one
side of a member to another can cause the member
to bow or camber. Similarly in long members the ef-
fect of lengthening and shortening due to wide ex-
tremes of temperature can be important o the overall
length tolerance of members.
Solar heating of members stacked inthe yard may
cause sweep and camber variations due to differen-
tial temperature, These deformations may not be
present in the completed structure if itis enclosed.
Because of this it may be important to measure cam-
ber and sweep in the members attimes when thermal
‘effects in the piece are minimal. The opposite can oc-
curwith members that are exposed to thermal effects
inthe completed structure. The potential for undesit-
able deformation due to significant thermal effects
should be brought tothe attention of the precast de-
sign engineer for evaluation.
Shrinkage and differential shrinkage of the con-
crete members can also have an effect on the dimen-
sional tolerances of precast concrete members. Al
though the great majority of the concrete shrinkage
takes place during the intial curing of the member, its
effect, particularly on large members, can be signifi-
cant and should be accounted for in the tolerance
Control of the member. Differential shrinkage, particu-
larly in members which have different mixes with dif-
ferent shrinkage characteristics, can result in mem-
ber bowing, warping, or camber. Differential
shrinkage of face and back up concrete mixes in ar-
cchitectural members or in different mixes which may
be used for the interior and exterior wythes of insu-
lated panels is something that should be assessed
with regard to the effect on member bowing and
warping tolerances.
8.4 Relation of Measuring Techniques to Tol-
erances
‘Accurate measuring devices and methods with
the precision capability appropriate to the tolerance
being controlled should be used for both setting and
checking product, interface, and erection tolerances.
Typieally, the precision of the measuring technique
used to verify a dimension, either pre or post casting,should be capable of reliably measuring to a preci-
sion of one-third the magnitude of the specified toler
ance.
‘The most common measuring method used in
precast plants is the use of metallic measuring tapes
‘graduated in feet, inches and fractions of a inch. (me-
ters and millimeters} For economic and functional
reasons, the use of more sophisticated measuring in-
struments, such as surveying instruments, may be
justiied in some instances. To maximize accuracy,
members should not be measured in increments in a
‘manner which creates the possibilty of cumulative er-
tor. For example, use a tape long enough tomeasure
the entire length of a member) The degree of accura-
cy in using measuring tapes depends on the particu-
lar dimension of the member being measured. To at-
tain greater precision in the linear dimensions of long
members measuring tape slope, tape sag, tape ten-
sion, and temperature effects should be taken intoac-
‘count.
85 Tolerances for Blockouts and Openings
A tolerance, consistent with the eventual function,
size and location of the block out should be indicated
fon the shop drawings. In lieu of showing blockoutttol-
‘erances on each shop drawing, typical block out to!
‘erances can be shown on a tolerance drawing for the
‘overall project. For example, the tolerance on a wit
dow blockout, into which a prefabricated window
frame will it, should be more precise than ablockout
through which a fioldinstalled piping system will be
placed. The possible need for draft on the sides of
blockouts should aiso be considered.
‘Another special case which should be shown on
the shop drawings is the set of required tolerance for
dimensions controling the matching of open shaped
panels. These tolerances may have tobe tighter than
the standard dimensional tolerances by 50 to 75 per-
cent in some cases to assure a visually acceptable
match up. The producer should review these types
of situations with the architectvengineer so that any
anticipated tolerance problems can be solved in the
design of the panel interfacing prior to fabrication
8.6 Tolerances for Sweep or Horizontal
Alignment
Horizontal alignment deviation can occur as result
of form tolerances and member width tolerances. It
can also result from the effects of prestressing which
has a lateral eccentricity, thus causing a sweep (later-
al camber) in the member. If prestressed induced
sweep is noted to create an out of tolerance condi-
22
tion, the architect/engineer should be notified for pos:
sible design revisions.
8&7 Tolerances for Position of Tendons
Tolerance for position of prestressing tendons is
‘one the key tolerances affecting the structural capac-
ity of the member, Iftighter or less stringenttolerances
‘on strand location than given in this document are re-
quired by the contract documents, they should be
specifically noted on the project shop drawings.
Strand position tolerance is usually more important in
shallow beam members than itis in deep beam mem-
bers.
tis common practice to use ‘6 in. [16 mm] diame:
ter holes in end dividers (bulkheads, headers) for all
strand sizes ¥in., %sin., 9 in., (13, 11, and 9.5 mm
diameters]. This is done because its costly to switch
to new end dividers for different strand diameters,
Thus, in most plants, more precision in strand loca-
tion is achieved when using larger diameter strands.
8.8 Tolerances for Handling Device Loca-
tions:
The relative importance of pacing tolerances on
handling device locations in different directions
should be indicated by tolerances shown on the proj-
ect shop drawings, especially in thin or narrow sec:
tions.
For example, closer lateral tolerances are neces-
sary to ensure the minimum required cover around
liting devices embedded in the stems of tees. In lieu
of showing the tolerance for handling devices on each
shop drawing they may be shown on a tolerance
sheet for the project.
8.9 Tolerances Considerations for Camber
and Differential Camber
‘The importance of camber and differential camber
between adjacent prestressed concrete members of
similar design will vary depending on the project re-
quirements. If differential cambers exceed recom-
mended tolerances, additional effort is often required
to erect the members in a manner satisfactory for the
intended use.
The effects of differential camber on member to
member connection details and overall function in
pretopped systems should be considered in deter-
mining appropriate differential camber specitications.
The final installed differential elevation tolerance
between two adjacent cambered members erectedin
the field may be the combined result of member differ-
ential cambers, variations in support elevations, andany elevation adjustments made to members during
erection.
Member camber measurements should be per-
formed ina consistent manner in order to understand
the actual differences in camber. Its very important
tomaintain uniformity atthe time of camber measure-
ment both with regard to member temperature and
solar exposure during the day and with regard to the
age and support conditions of the member since
casting,
For example, the camber measured on the top
member ofa stack of double tees in the mid afternoon,
‘on ahot sunny day willbe considerably different from.
the measured camber of the bottom member of the
‘stack on the same day (or of the same top piece on
‘cold cloudy day). Similar camber measurement dit-
ferences will occur with long wall panels with one side
exposed to the sun and the other side in the shade.
‘The most consistent results are obtained by measur-
ing camber in the early hours of the day, before the
sun has begun to differentially heat the members.
Control of differential camber of adjacent mem-
bers in pre-topped systerns may require more strin-
gent tolerances to meet functional requirements.
When this is the case, special design and production
‘measures may be required to achieve special project,
tolerances for differential camber. Some adjustment
to design floor elevations may be necessary when
working with pre-topped systems.
If variation in camber in excess of the specified tol-
erance is observed, the plant quality control inspector
should look for the cause and inform the architectien-
gineer, who will determine the effects of the variation
(on member performance. Note that variations from
expected design camber may indicate strand slip-
page atter release of prestress.
‘Some of he factors affecting camber variation and
subsequent differential camber are:
Time-Dependent Etfects on Camber
Since member camber can vary over time, the
Point in the life of the camber critical member to which
the camber tolerance applies to should be defined in
the contract documents.
Checking all members at the same prescribed age
since castings important for consistent camber mea.
surement result.
‘The following are time related influences on cam-
ber.
‘a, Modulus of elasticity variations due to curing
duration differences can resultin different cam-
bers for members of similar design,
b. Different age at release, ages of adjacent mem-
bers, age at time of erection, age at addition of
superimposed load.
23
¢. Creep differences resulting from differing con-
ccretes or differing stress conditions within the
member.
1d. Shrinkage effects due to differences in expo-
‘sure, humidity, or curing differences,
@. Strand relaxation which increases somewhat
with time,
{. Thermal effects that vary with time.
@. Extent of member flexural cracking.
Effects of Curing Methods on Camber Tolerances
Hf special curing methods are needed to achieve
member camber tolerances this should be noted on
the project shop drawings. Curing methods can influ:
ence conerete strength (and consequent modulus of
elasticity and resulting camber effects) at the time of
prestress transfer to the member.
‘Storage Configuration Etfect on Camber Tolerance
If special storage configurations are required to
achieve product camber tolerances this should be
noted on the project shop drawings.
‘The following storage related issues can have an
effect on member camber.
‘a. Member support locations while in storage.
b. Member position with respect to the sun.
c. Member position in the storage stack and its ef-
fect on the storage loading of the member.
8.10 Tolerances for Squareness of Ends or
Variation From Specified End Skew
The type of forms selected for a project should
consider the tolerance precision requirements for the
of squareness of member ends. Out of square panels,
and other members can cause tapered joints be-
tween adjacent panels and make the adjustment of
adjacent members difficut.
‘A member end skew which is not 90 degrees will
require special procedures during form set-up and
during as-built measurement verification to assure
that tolerances are met,
8.11 Tolerances for Position of Weld Plates
When selecting the positioning and installation
methods for weld plates, consider the tolerance re~
quirements on these items. In general, plates can be
positioned to closer tolerances when the plates are
‘embedded in the bottom of the member (or against
the side form) than can plates cast into the top of the
member.The main reason for this difference in placement
precision is that bottom and side plates can be held
in position by fastening directly o the form, and hence
are less susceptible to movement which may be
‘caused by the placement and vibration of the con-
crete. Plates cast into the top of the member are usu:
ally supported by some type of frame which must be
positioned on the form before casting
8.12 Tolerance on Tipping and Flushness of
Weld Plates.
‘The tipping and flushness tolerance is also impor-
tant when selecting the plate positioning method
Flushness is the relationship of the weld plate surface
tothe concrete surface. For the same reasons as out-
lined above, plates cast on the top of members will
tend to tip out of plane more than bottom plates.
‘Another reason for tolerance difference between
top and bottom plates is that bottom plates get uni-
form bearing from the form surface whereas top
plates must be supported by removable positioning
fixtures which offen are not an integral part of the
form.
8.13 Tolerances on Haunches of Columns
and Wall Panels
Measures taken to assure maintaining tolerance
‘on haunch location dimensions which are also prima-
ry erection control surfaces should consider the toler-
ance requirements of the type of connection used at
the base of the member. Since a panel or other mem-
ber base connection often allows some positioning
flexibiity itis often more important to control dimen-
sions from haunch to haunch in muttistory columns or
walls rather than to maintain tight control of actual
haunch location dimensions from the end of the
member.
8.14 Tolerances on Location of Sleeves Cast
in Prestressed Products
The sleeve location tolerance should be secon-
dary 10 the location tolerance of the strands unless.
otherwise noted on the project shop drawings. The
tolerance on sleeves may be affected by sightreloca-
tion of the sleeves necessitated by the location of pre-
stressing strands within the member
For horizontal and vertical sleeve location toler-
ances, consideration should be gwen to the location
of both straight and deflected prestressed strands,
the function of the sieeve, and its proximity to other
sleeves.
24
8.15 Tolerance on Reinforcing Steel Bending
and Placement
Reinforcing steel placement tolerances should be
shown on the project shop drawings. Similarly, rein-
forcing bar bend tolerances should be shown on the
bar list for the precast members. In lieu of showing
these tolerances on each shop drawing, they may be
given on a project tolerance drawing
Reinforcing steel used in precast prestressed
products is controlled by two tolerances. The first is
the bar length and bending tolerance, andthe second
is the bar placement tolerance, which is to an extent
also dependent on the bar bending tolerance.
Reinforcing bar bending and length tolerances as
well as reinforcement placing tolerances are gov-
emed by the American Concrete Institute standards.
The section on concrete feature tolerances (Section
2.2. from ACI 117-80 Standard Tolerances for Con-
rete Construction and Materials) is reproduced be-
ow in Table 8.15.1. See the current issue of ACI 117
for reinforcement bending and placing tolerances.
In situations where reinforcement embedded in
and extending from a precast member mustinterface
with other members, special measures are often
quired when planning the tolerances for the reinforce-
ment and in the fabrication of the members. The
achievable reinforcement bar bending tolerances
Possible with available bar bending equipment
should be taken into consideration. This is especially
important if hooked bars are used.
‘The overall tolerance plan for members with em-
bedded reinforcement should consider the detailed
clearances between adjacent reintorcing bars and
the potential maximum tolerance variation possible in
the location of the reinforcement extending from each
of the interfacing elements. This is necessary to as-
sure that adequate clearances exist throughout.
Where the reinforcement extends out from the mem-
ber, be sure to evaluate the position of the reinforce-
ment relative to the features it must interface with,
through all of the angles of motion involved in the
erection process
In special situations where complex reinforcement
patterns must be interfaced during erection, steps
should be taken to assure that the proposed arrange-
ments are workable. A common error is to lay out a
reinforcement clearance pian using reinforcing bar
centerline to centerline dimensions and not appropri-
ately considering the consequences of the bar diam-
‘eter or the consequences ofhook bending and length
tolerances. This is more of a consideration with larg:
‘er diameter reinforcing bars which are relatively
closely spaced,ta producer subcontracts the reinforcing bar
bending to an outside supplier, early and frequent
checks of bending accuracy should be made. Addi
tionally, in some instances special bar bending toler-
ances may have to be specified in the contract with
the bar bending fabricator.
‘Note that for some types of precast members, pro-
ducers find that reinforcement bent to conform with
ACI specified bending tolerances is not suitable to
meet the tolerance requirements of member fabrica-
tion. For this reason some producers bend their own.
bars or require their suppliers to work to bending tol-
erances that are more stringent than those pre-
scribed by ACI
Fig. 8.15.1 Selected* Tolerances
ACI Ti7-90 Term Tolerance Tolerance
Section No. m) (rimyt
3 Foundations
92 Lateral aigament
324 Footings
‘As cast tothe center of gravy 8s specifi: 0.02 mes the wath ofthe footing inthe d 2 so
scion of mispiacement, DU not more than
‘Supporting masonry % 0
33 Levolaignment
331 Footings
39.1.1 Top ol footings supporting masonry % 2
99.1.2 Topol other footings +%, 2
7 Gastin Place Concrate Tor Sulaings
41 Vertical Alignment
4.14.1 For Heights iss than 100 8. [30m]
Lines, surtaces, aise 1 25
uside oa of exposed corer clumns and contin grooesin cnc exposed % 13
412 Forheignts greater than 100, (90.m]
Lunes, surlaces and arses 1/1000 tes the height but not more than | 6 190
‘Outside corner of exposed comer columns and conta joint grooves in concrete, 1/2000 3 8
times the height but Rot more than
32 Lateral alignment
42.1 Members 1 2
422 In lads, conte line location cf operings 121m. [360 mm] or less and edge location of % 13
lexger openings
429 Sawcus, joints, and weakened plane embedments in slabs % 19
43 Levelalignment
431 Topotslabs
43.1.1 Elevation of slabs on grade % 19
4.:1.2 Elevation of top surtaces of formed slabs belore remove of supporting shores % 18
43:2 Elevation of formed surfaces belore removal of shores % 19
433 __Lintels sls, parapets, horizontal groves and other lines exposed to view % 13
7 See Sandard Spectioarons for Concrete Oonstracion ad Walorals NGI 117-60, oF Tent eaiion for ul Tai.
+ Metric conversions shown are “so” (e.g founded 1 appropriate values).
258.16 Tolerance on Position of Strand Deflec-
tion Points.
Strand hold-downs and other strand deflection de-
vices frequently have their positions dictated by the
requirement that they be fixed, either to the form itself
‘F to the form suppor, so that suitable strand hold-
down structural capacity is achieved. Often these
hold down locations are on a lattice grid that may
have a spacing as greatas 40 in, [1020 mm) between
location points.
These casting bed structural conditions affecting
strand hold down location can frequently result in
available hold down positions being as much as +20
in, [£510 mm] from the specified location. If hold
‘down locations are specified closer than this, the ar-
cchitect/engineer should be contacted prior to revision
of any specified hold down tolerance.
Special strand hold down location tolerances may
be required for cantilevers and other special condi:
tions. More precise placement of strand deflection
points will increase the cost of these members. The
vertical position of the hold-down is usually more im-
portant than the horizontal position.
8.17 Tolerance Effects of Warping, Bowing
and Local Smoothness of Panel
Panel warping and bowing tolerances are often,
important aspects of panel visual features, and also
influence the ease of erection and functional pertor-
mance of panel connections and panel interface ele-
ments.
Warping tolerances are stated in terms of the mag-
nitude of the corner variation, as shown in Fig. 8.17.7
This tolerance is usually stated in terms of the allow-
able variation per foot of distance fromthe nearest ad-
jacent comer with a not-to-exceed maximum value of
comer warping,
While warping and bowing occur in both structural
and architectural members, itis architectural mem-
bers that usually demand special consideration.
Warping and bowing tolerances have an importantin-
fluence on the visual effects relating to edge match up
during erection and on the visual appearance of the
erected panels, both individually and when viewed to-
gether, Several possible bowing conditions are
shown in Fig. 8.17.2.
Bowing and warping tolerances should be
‘compared against panel global erection tolerance re-
quirements which may be driven by tolerance re-
quirements for panels as installed, with reference to
joint widths, jog in alignment, and step in face toler-
ance. Compliance with these global requirements for
some panei sizes and shapes may create more strin-
gent requirements than the specific bowing and
warping tolerances.
Fig. 8.17.1 Warping Definitions for Panels
‘TRUE PLANE, 7
CORNER _
WARPING
DISTANCE TO FARTHEST |”
ADJACENT CORNER.
Bowing and Warping Tolerances
Differential temperature effects and differential
‘moisture absorption between the inside and outside
faces of a panel, the effects of possible prestress ec-
centricity, and differential shrinkage between face
and back-up concrete mixes can all contribute topan-
el bowing and warping.
Note that bowing and warping tolerances are of in-
terest primarily at the time the panelis erected. Care-
ful attention to pre-erection storage of panels is nec-
‘essary, since storage conditions can be an important
factor in achieving and maintaining panel bowing and
warping within tolerances.
Differential bowing is a consideration for paneis
which are viewed together on the completed struc-
ture. If convex bowing is positive (+) and concave
bowing is negative (--), then the magnitude of ciffer-
ential bowing for adjacent members can be deter-
mined by subtracting the bowing values.
For example in Fig. 8.17.3, ifthe maximum bowing
‘of Panel 3 were +% in. [+6 mm] and the maximum
bowing of Panel 4 was — Yin. [6mm] then the differ-
ential bowing between these two adjacent panels is,
Yein, [13 mm]
A special appearance related tolerance require-
ment may be necessary for honed or polished flat
‘concrete walls where bowing or warping tolerances
may have to be made more stringent by 50 percent
1075 percent of the bowing tolerances given in Article
11.0 in order to avoid possibly objectionable joint
shadows,